NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Hundreds of Turkish Cypriots took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against what they say is Turkey's attempt to mold their secular culture into one that's more in tune with Islamic norms.

Some 1,500 mostly young people blew whistles and raised their hands in front of Parliament in the Turkish Cypriot part of the ethnically divided island's capital, Nicosia. They were decrying the creation of a "coordination committee" that will fund, oversee and approve all youth sport and cultural activities.

Protesters from some 80 groups spanning the political spectrum charged that the committee's hidden agenda is to instill a more Islamic way of life by funding cultural and sporting projects that will include religious elements.